Pittsburgh Logo
File #: 2020-0723    Version: 1
Type: Will of Council Status: Adopted
File created: 9/14/2020 In control: City Council
On agenda: 9/15/2020 Final action: 9/15/2020
Enactment date: 9/15/2020 Enactment #: 458
Effective date: 9/15/2020    
Title: NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby call on the United States Congress to create a new National Infrastructure Bank by passing HR6422. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this Will of Council shall be sent to the Allegheny County delegation of the Pennsylvania State House and Senate, the chairs and minority chairs of the State House and Senate Transportation Committees, Governor Tom Wolf, and Pennsylvania Secretary of Transportation Yassmin Gramian.
Sponsors: Erika Strassburger, Deborah L. Gross, All Members
Indexes: PROCLAMATION - MRS. STRASSBURGER, PROCLAMATION - MS. GROSS
Body
WHEREAS, public infrastructure impacts United States residents throughout their daily life and includes roads, railroads, bridges, water supply and treatment, sewage treatment, dams, stormwater collection, and public parks, and;

WHEREAS, our nation's spending on infrastructure has fallen to its lowest level in 70 years, down to 2.5% of our nation's GDP, which is half the comparable level in Europe and one-third the level in China, and;

WHEREAS, infrastructure development needs careful planning and a reliable source of long-term funding in order for it to succeed, and;

WHEREAS, The American Society of Civil Engineers estimates in its 2017 report that $4.6 trillion is needed just to repair the nation's existing infrastructure, and;

WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has created a recession leading to more budget shortfalls, making it unlikely that adequate infrastructure financing will come from the federal budget, and;

WHEREAS, expanded investment is needed in new manufacturing centers, affordable housing, broadband access, science and technology drivers, to accommodate population growth and migration, and for other improvements in urban, and low-income areas that the private sector does not currently serve, and;

WHEREAS, the creation of national banks have resulted in the availability of funds for critical infrastructure projects, and led to increased productivity, economic and job growth in at various points in our nation's history, and;

WHEREAS, legislation has been introduced into the United States Congress to create a $4 trillion National Infrastructure Bank through House Bill HR 6422 introduced by Representative Danny Davis (D-IL) on March 31, 2020, and;

WHEREAS, The purpose of a National Infrastructure Bank shall be to facilitate efficient, long-term financing of infrastructure projects, business and economic growth, and new job creation in the United States, and;

WHEREAS, The establishment of a United States public deposit money bank would p...

Click here for full text